Kanu Meets Legal Team Ahead Of Defence Opening

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday concluded a private meeting with his legal team led by former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN), in preparation for the commencement of his defence.

The meeting, which held inside Court 7 of the Federal High Court, Abuja — the same venue where his terrorism trial is ongoing — was conducted under tight security supervision by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sources confirmed to The Nation that Kanu was brought to court by DSS officials earlier in the morning and met privately with his lawyers as directed by the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho.

The session formed part of preparations for the opening of Kanu’s defence scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 23, and run for six consecutive days, following the court’s accelerated hearing order.

Justice Omotosho had, on October 16, granted the defence team’s oral application for a private consultation with the defendant within the courtroom, expressing the need to safeguard attorney–client confidentiality.

Agabi (SAN) had raised concerns that previous consultations held within DSS facilities might have been monitored or recorded, prompting the court to allow a secure in-camera meeting from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, outside the court premises, a group of supporters under the banner “Free Kanu Now” continued their protest despite a police red alert around the area.

Kanu’s defence is expected to open formally on Wednesday as the trial resumes before Justice Omotosho.